Farewell to a faithful friend, hello to a new one

[Super-G]

My 02 4 Runner.

Sadly I sold it this morning. Long story short, I was helping my friend drop a 331 stroker motor into his 92 Mustang and we were talking cars.

He's an ASE certified mechanic and has worked for the same Ford dealership for over 20 years. He's a die hard Ford guy. He has a 69 Mach 1 with a fuel injected 351, a 92 Mustang with a 331 stroker, a 70 Maverick with a fuel injected 5.0, and an 02 F-150 4WD crew cab.

He was saying that he'd like to trade his 02 F-150 in on one of the new ones because he gets such a good deal as a Ford employee, but his dealership won't give him a good price because it's still a 13 year old truck. So I asked him what was he asking. His price seemed decent so I took a look at the truck.

It's an 02 F-150 crew cab with the 5.4, automatic, 4WD, and a 3:55 traction lock rear. It's fully loaded with tow package, cold air intake, and a flip up tonneau cover. It only has 72,000 original miles and he's kept up with all the required maintenance. He even performed the Time-sert conversion on all 8 cylinders to avoid the issue of spark plug blowouts. The Time-sert conversion inserts a steel sleeve into the cyl head for the spark plug to thread into. He said he's personally guarantee the job for as long as I own the truck.

We already have a Subaru Outback wagon which is my wife's car, I have my 72 Z/28, and my 94 Wrangler, so I made a tough decision. I bought the truck, and listed my 4 Runner on craigslist. 2 guys responded pretty quickly. The first guy tried to lowball the Hell out of me. The 2nd guy was a legit buyer. He looked at the truck Friday after work and came back this morning. He made an offer which I countered and after some light haggling, we agreed to a price. The title was transferred and tags were issues and I watched my 02 4 Runner Sport drive away.

It was unfortunate because I really did like my 4 Runner but there were days where I wished I had a truck. If my buddy hadn't taken such good care of this truck, I highly doubt I would have sought out a pick up on my own. But it is what it is.

Here's the new ride:

 

[KidVermicious]

Nice truck. I have an '01 Supercrew Lariat with the 5.4, it's a good motor. You're going to hate the bed though the first time you head to Home Depot for lumber.

What rear axle do you have? I was under the impression that the Supercrew 5.4 only came with the 9.75", and didn't think there was factory limited slip for that axle. I've got 3.55 too, so if your setup is factory I'm going to start looking harder when I hit the junkyards.

 

[BrianSD_42]

i think that is the generation that was labeled a death trap from the crash tests.

sad to see you leave the 4runner group.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've never heard that. Five stars across the board, as far as I know, except maybe the rollover test.

Here's mine vs a very safe modern car...

 

[BrianSD_42]

my comment was based on those videos of 97 f-150 vs 4runner on the crash tests. someone posted them in a thread here a few months ago.

not trying to be a hater , sorry but its true. 2004 was the first safe year for the f-150. The 01, 02 4Runner is far far far safer vehicle than an 02 F-150.

1997-2003 Ford F-150 Frontal Crash Test (IIHS):

---> http://youtu.be/yftjO49KGXI


that Red F-150 looks like a beautiful truck though

 

[Super-G]

Nice truck. I have an '01 Supercrew Lariat with the 5.4, it's a good motor. You're going to hate the bed though the first time you head to Home Depot for lumber.

What rear axle do you have? I was under the impression that the Supercrew 5.4 only came with the 9.75", and didn't think there was factory limited slip for that axle. I've got 3.55 too, so if your setup is factory I'm going to start looking harder when I hit the junkyards.

Not sure which axle I have. My buddy told me that he specifically ordered a traction lock rear. I googled Ford axle ID and it showed me where to find the axle code on a trim plate inside the driver's door. I looked it up vs what the Ford axle ID specs said online and it gave me axle code H9 which from the website says 3:55 with limited slip.

I know that my 4 Runner was a fantastic truck. However, my wife's 05 Outback wagon has the turbo charged 2.5 in it and is a fantastic car to drive. I found that whenever we would go on a longer ride as a family we took her Outback. Add to that the fact that I have my 72 Z/28 as a car show/cruise night car, my 95 Wrangler as something I drive to work on nice days with the top down, and I simply didn't use the 4 Runner for much of anything but driving to work.

As I said, I wasn't actively looking to replace my 4 Runner. I only bought this truck because I knew that my buddy Brian had taken outstanding care of it, and that there were times over the years where I felt like I needed a pick up.

 

[Thai]

I've never heard that. Five stars across the board, as far as I know, except maybe the rollover test.

Here's mine vs a very safe modern car...

Your F150 crashed into the side of a low car...if your F150 had crumbled then that would be very embarrassing! The side of a car has very little metal to cause damage on your truck...and momentum on your side.

What Brian said is true regarding IIHS: Vehicle details

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yftjO49KGXI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Remember, this is the MODERATE off-set crash test. Nowadays, we have the harder to achieve SMALL off-set crash test.

3rd gen 4runner:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/STj2tOWY7rI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Bright spot? At least, F150 does not do a disappearing act like this: (NHTSA like crash test; easiest to achieve vs. above IIHS)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D827IxEJVS4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mxer]

i think that is the generation that was labeled a death trap from the crash tests.

sad to see you leave the 4runner group.

Wow, way to piss on his parade. He has a 72 Z28 and Jeep YJ, you want to tell him he's going to die soon?

 

[Unner]

Judging by the color or your 4Runner, Jeep, F150, and Subaru I'm inclined to say that you like that dark red/burgundy color haha

 

[02SE]

Yeah, posting that his new-to-him vehicle is a deathtrap, might be a bit inappropriate in the thread announcing the purchase of said vehicle.

OTOH, We've had these crash test comparisons posted in the past. I think people probably mean well, and are just trying to help others members make more informed decisions.

Being an ER Dr., I'm sure Thai sees more than his share of Trauma patients. That no doubt affects his choices.

Life is all about choices, and accepting the potential consequences of those choices. Given the choice, I'd choose to ride a Motorcycle every time over driving any car. Cars (at least street-legal cars) are pretty boring in comparison. Before someone gets offended by that statement and lists cars that they think aren't boring, don't waste your time. It's just my opinion. No one has to agree.

Anybody care to comment on how a Motorcycle will do in a crash test? Again, don't bother, anyone with any common sense already knows.

Anyway Super-G, I hope you choose to stick around. Your Z/28 is cool, and I like seeing the car show pics you occasionally post.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Wow, way to piss on his parade. He has a 72 Z28 and Jeep YJ, you want to tell him he's going to die soon?

sorry but isn't it better to get this information out there.

I didn't mean to be a dick but I wanted to give the fyi. It is always better to know the risks.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Looks nice. As much flack the 5.4 receives it isn't a bad engine, just needs more TLC than Ford engines of the prior decade. Just be prepared to fix the camshaft phaser knocking fix if the engine starts to sound like a diesel. Otherwise enjoy it.

 

[Thai]

Anybody care to comment on how a Motorcycle will do in a crash test? Again, don't bother, anyone with any common sense already knows.

Organ donors on wheels....

But, above folks are right...sorry SUPER-G for crapping on your party. :behindsofa:

 

[KidVermicious]

Looks nice. As much flack the 5.4 receives it isn't a bad engine, just needs more TLC than Ford engines of the prior decade. Just be prepared to fix the camshaft phaser knocking fix if the engine starts to sound like a diesel. Otherwise enjoy it.

Isn't that a 3 valve thing? The OPs 5.4 should be a 2 valve.

 

[68dave]

My 27yo cousin died in his 01 f150 xtra cab 4x4 when he struck a tree head on. His body was smashed between the dash and the rear of the cab, truck just folded. They had to tow the truck with his body still in it to a facility so they could then cut his body out of it. Before he passed i remember he had issues with spark plugs blowing out of the cylinder head, happen to him twice. The 2nd time he bought a rethreading kit from snap on that's specifically made for the ford 4.6L & 5.4L's and repaired it himself. Apparantly it happens allot because tool companies make a kit to repair the damaged threads on these engines. My brother's 00 expedition had the same spark plug issue and he was a ase ford tech at that time. I remember joking with them to just sell those fords and buy a toyota. My brother finally smartened up and bought a tacoma for himself and a honda accord for his wife, 100k + miles on both and no issues besides basic maintance.

 

[02SE]

Organ donors on wheels....

Yep, it even says so right on my Driver's License.

Of course wearing the appropriate gear, and continually striving to increase my riding skills, even though I've been riding for most of my life, also helps me avoid cellphone talking/texting, eating, shaving, drunk, high, incompetent cagers.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Isn't that a 3 valve thing? The OPs 5.4 should be a 2 valve.

I was wondering that as I hit the post button. 3v not until 05. My bad, jet lag from your favorite state. So no, he is good to go. You have to appreciate folks who treat their older cars well.

Kudos to the mechanic for serting all eight of those plugs.:cheer2: Having access to a full post life aids in pulling the entire body off the frame to work on the engine.:Cry:

I would think that O2SE would be fine on his BMW as long as he has those high wall snow drifts around him to lessen the blow.

 

[Super-G]

Guys, I didn't take it like someone was pissing on my parade. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. I've never been a huge Ford guy and really don't know a whole Hell of a lot about them.

My buddy Brian has been my friend since before high school which is now about 30 years. We played on the same baseball team in high school and really got friendly because we were both Musclecar guys. At the time he had a nasty 68 Torino fastback with a 428 and a 4 speed and I had my 68 Firebird. We're still very close friend's today. Brian is anal about his vehicles. As I stated previously he's been an ASE certified tech for about 25 years and has worked for the same Ford dealership for over 20 years. He's a Ford guru and has maintained the snot out of this truck. It drives like brand new.

If I wasn't buying HIS truck with HIS guarantee that he would assist me in fixing any issues I experienced, I'd still have my 4 Runner today. I loved my 4 Runner and had zero issues with it in the years I owned it. As I said between my Jeep, my wife's Outback, and my Camaro, we have enough vehicles that could serve as a family car. I had been tossing around the idea of trading in or selling my 4 Runner in order to get a used Tacoma or possibly a Tundra at some point but I found them to be a bit on the pricey side. Good for Toyota that their trucks hold their value. Bad for the buyer.

I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

 

[KidVermicious]

Apparantly it happens allot because tool companies make a kit to repair the damaged threads on these engines.

For some reason Ford designed the heads for the 4.6 and 5.4 with only four or five threads in the spark plug holes. It still works and they hold up fine if you're exact about the torque - do the "fingertight and a quarter turn" trick and you'll be blowing plugs through your hood.

If I ever pull the motor in mine, I will for sure be certing both heads. In the meantime I'm lettin' it ride.

 

[68dave]

Any pics of your old firebird? My buddy had a clean black 68 firebird 400 with a 4 speed. Always liked the 67 & 68 birds.